August, 2004
Dear Friends and Family,
Things are happening fast! In about a month or so I will be in Bangkok, Thailand, starting my life as a missionary. This week I will be moving from Eugene, Oregon, where I have been since September, back home to McMinnville, Oregon. Right now I am training my replacement at the law firm I have been working at, and am beginning to think about the somewhat daunting task of packing (and getting rid of things). I will also soon be applying for a visa (see more below). But despite all of the details that need to happen before I leave in mid-September, I have been surprisingly peaceful. God has been providing abundantly and giving me time to rest, have fun and enjoy my summer.
Seek first the Kingdom, and these things will be given to you…
Less than three months after I sent out my first prayer letter, my entire budget was raised. Praise God! And I thank each of you who gave, who prayed, who encouraged me in this process. We serve a wealthy God, who truly does give good gifts to his children, and provides seed to the sower.
Team News
The team I am joining in Bangkok is still in its early stages. My team leader, Kevin Walton, has been in the city for several years as a pastor, and has been recruiting missionaries to join in the task of ministering in the slums.
· Dave Von Stroh has been in Bangkok since September, learning Thai and recently beginning to disciple believers, host a house church and attend training on community development and organization.
· Jenny Godoy, from the Philippines, has arrived in Bangkok recently.
· Jen Wilson, from California, and I will be arriving around the same time and will probably be roommates and go through culture shock together.
· Three more future teammates are beginning their fundraising in the states.
· The church we will work under is in the process of transitioning from being a cell church to being a network of four house churches. Pray for wisdom and discernment for Kevin as he facilitates the transition.
Pray for our visas!
Jen and I are attempting to get our non-immigrant visas and it is proving to be more difficult than we expected. Jen has been turned down twice and is having to delay her departure date. Thai consulates, just in the past few months, are requiring a letter of permission from the Thai government, which we do not have yet. Kevin is beginning to navigate the bureaucracy to request the letter, but it could take quite awhile. In the meantime I will apply in Portland and hope they are lenient. Pray for favor with the authorities!
This will be my final letter until I am in Thailand, but check my website for more updates. Below is my new overseas contact info. Also, please note that my email address has changed since my first prayer letter.
Though my personal budget is met, if you would still like to contribute to the ministry in Bangkok, any additional funds will go into my ministry account, to help directly with costs of our churches and programs. We can never have too many of these donations!
Again, thank you for partnering with me in this ministry—I would not be going anywhere without the support and prayers of my community back home.
Blessings,
Sara
Sara Stephens
c/o Kevin and Cynthia Walton
1038 Soi 34
Klong Chang, Bangkapi
Bangkok 10240 THAILAND
